The NCAA men's hockey tournament is an underrated jewel in the college sports crown—a chance for schools that might otherwise be overlooked to shine on a national stage, and a frequent showcase for American hockey talent of tomorrow.
Once a heavily territorial affair—the first 10 men's Frozen Fours were all in Colorado Springs—college hockey's flagship event has fanned out across the United States. Indeed, the last time the men's Frozen Four was held in a non-NHL arena was in 2010; the last time it was held in a non-NHL city was in 2006. Though nowhere near as lucrative as football or basketball, college hockey is big business.
